Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 24, 2012

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF FIGHTS RX ABUSE

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is proud to announce that through the efforts of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Undercover Regional Narcotics Taskforce (BURN) Unit, a prescription drug drop box, designed for year round disposal of outdated or unneeded pharmaceuticals, has been installed in the lobby area of the Butler County Corrections and Administrative Offices Complex, 705 Hanover Street, Hamilton, OH. The box, was obtained through a grant from the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), and is now officially “open for business” for public use.

Prescription drug abuse has been a significant problem in both Butler County and across the country for many years. One source of these pharmaceuticals that can make their way into the wrong hands is the medication that is kept in resident’s medicine cabinet. In fact, with prescription drug abuse being the #1 substance of abuse among 12-17 year olds, a significant source of these drugs are pills that are not properly secured in the home.

With the installation of this box, residents will now have a 365 day access to properly dispose of outdated and unneeded pharmaceuticals in the jail lobby area. Pills, capsules, and patches are accepted at the box, with needles and liquids being excluded as allowable items for disposal.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office feels that this is just one step toward reducing the amount of prescription drug abuse in the county and hopes that citizens take full advantage of this program. This along with enforcement, education and effective rehabilitation, is the only way our community can make positive strides toward addressing this issue.

Butler County residents wanting further information can also go to www.rxdrugdropbox.org to locate take back boxes across the country.

Sgt. Monte Mayer
Public Information Officer
Butler County Sheriff’s Office